Boy Scouts of America

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much time does it take to earn your Scuba Diving merit badge?

You can complete the entire class in four days. Two evenings are spent in the classroom and the weekend is dedicated to the confined and open water dives. For an additional fee, the classroom portion can be completed in as little as two days by completing the classroom portion online via PADI eLearning. Visit our Online Courses tab to learn more or to sign up.

2. Is Scuba Diving a safe sport for my son to participate in?

Statistics show that scuba diving is a very safe sport, with very few incidents compared to the number of dives performed annually. In addition, scuba diving is also a nonimpact sport, is noncompetitive and will get the scouts out from in front of the computer and/or television.

3. How long is my certification good for?

Once you’re certified you’re certified for life!

4. Do I need to purchase any equipment to learn to dive?

All gear is included in our course!

To ensure the experience is enjoyable it is recommended that each student have their own personal snorkeling gear including mask, snorkel and fins. We can assist you in the proper fit and comfort if you choose to purchase these items.

5. Are there any medical restrictions for learning to dive?

For safety, all students complete a brief scuba medical questionnaire that asks about medical conditions that could be a problem while diving. If none of these apply, you sign the form and you’re ready to start. If any of these apply to you, as a safety precaution your physician must assess the condition as it relates to diving and sign a medical form that confirms that you’re fit to dive.

6. Can I begin my training online?

If you’re looking for a flexible way to fit a scuba certification into your busy schedule or if you just prefer web based learning, then PADI’s online scuba courses are the way to go. Whether you want to take scuba lessons for beginners or you’re ready to advance your scuba skills training, PADI eLearning is a convenient way to learn.• You can get started immediately with scuba knowledge development and work at your own pace using the PADI eLearning system. • PADI continually adapts course content for online delivery, which means you should check back regularly to view newly released online courses.